George Withers' Emblemes

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or Night '{
ILLVSTR. XIIII. Book.
|Here be of thofc in every Common-male,
Whom to this Emblem we referable may*
The Name of none I purpofe to reveale,
But, their Condition, heere, I will difplay.
Some, both by gifts of Nature, and of Grace,
Are fo prepared, that, they might be fit
To ftand as Lights, in profitable place;
Yet, loofe their Talent , by negle&ing it.
Some, to the common Grace, and nat'raH parts,
(By helpe of Nurture, and good Discipline)
Have added an accomplifhment of Arts,
By which , their Light may much the brighter fhine.
Some others, have to this, acquired more
For, to maintaine their Lampc, in giving light,
Of Waxe, and Oyle,and FatneJJe, they haveftore,
Which over-flowes unto them, day and night.
And,ev'n as Lampes, or Candles, on a Table,
("Or, fixt on golden Candleliicks, on high)
To light AJJemblies, Great and Honourable,
They, of:, havc(alfo) place of Dignitie.
By meanesof which, their Splendor might become
His praife, whothofe high favours did bequeath:
They might encrcafe the Light of Chrijlenaome,
And, make them fee, who fit in dudes of Death.
Bur, many of them, like thofe Candles bee,
That ftand unlightcdin a Branch of gold :
For, by their helpe wee nothing more can fee,
Than wee in grofTcft darknefic, may behold.
If fuch there be, (as there bee fuch, I feare
The queftion is, For what good ufc they are.
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